Saving Money on Jeans

I have hemmed plenty of jeans in my time and broken a lot of needles. The following are tips to do it and save your needles. First of all, look for needles that are made specifically for hemming jeans. If your sewing machine has a jeans foot, use that too it allows several thicknesses of fabric underneath it.

Secondly after you have pressed your double hem up, before you sew, take a hammer and pound the seam that is so thick (it is called a flat felled seam). I know this step sounds funny, but it works. As you are sewing along, when you come to a thick place and your presser foot won't allow you to go over it, insert a piece of cardboard about the thickness of two credit cards under the presser foot from the back. This allows you to "climb" the seam with ease. Lastly, sew very slowly and do not reverse. You are most likely to save needles using these hints.

By Elaine S. from Near Cedar Rapids, IA

Tips for saving money on jeans as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Post your own idea here.

Check the Thrift Store for Jeans

Check the jeans rack at your local thrift store, there are some great deals to be had! Name brand stuff, too!

By Valerie

Garage Sales And Wearing Guidelines

We've found nice jeans at garage sales for 25 cents and up. Divide your jeans into "nice," "almost nice," and "ratty." I can wear a pair of "nice" jeans for a week without washing them. No, they are not filthy. Be careful not to wipe your hands on them, and hang them up to air when you take them off. At home, you can change into ratty jeans.

Depending on the amount of wear, you can demote them from nice to the other categories. Since you are not washing them every time you wear them, they will last much longer.

By Aunt Sharon

Local Thrift Stores Have Great Deals

Go to your local thrift store. Their jeans are $2.99 and lower for adults and no more than $1.99 for kids!

By BrookesMommy

Clearance And Thrift Stores

I shop the clearance racks at stores and thrift stores for jeans. My ones that get worn out, I use to do housework and work in the yard. My nice jeans get hung up and I can go awhile without washing them, until a little kid with sticky hands or snotty nose hugs my legs! Oh well, worth the laundry! The ones I get at the thrift store, I use for daily wear, and the store ones I use for "dressy".

By camo_angels

Buy On Sale and Other Tips

I have gotten good deals on jeans on sale. I got $30 jeans knocked down to $7 and I bought 3 pairs, which have lasted me a year so far. I agree about having a pair of dressy jeans, which you wear less frequently and don't wash all the time. Dark denim jeans look nicer longer if you don't wash them too often. (You can freshen them up with Fabreeze in a pinch.) I know kids want designer labels, but you really do pay through the nose for the name, so stay away from that.

By pamphyila

Make Them Last As Long As Possible

When my kids were little, I used to make their jeans last longer by reinforcing the knees inside with the iron on patches. Also, when they became too tight in the waist, but fit otherwise, I would use a rubber band looped through the button hole and then over the button to fasten them.

Also, when pregnant, if the jeans fit over my rear and hips, I would sew a 3-4 inch strip of wide elastic to either side of the waistband, leave the zipper open, and wear a long top over them. These lasted me through 2 babies, and I removed the elastic and went back to wearing them normally afterward.

By jean

Look For $10 Jeans

I have gotten several pairs of heavy winter jeans on sale at Kohl's for $10 each which I have been wearing for several years. I also have gotten jeans at thrift shops, I have several pairs of light summer jeans. I also used to go to Suzy's Deals when there was one around me for deals on jeans, I like to pay $10 or so. Another tip, if they fit you, maternity jeans at thrift shops are usually are in great shape, as they haven't been worn much. The ones I like have a short rise (great for me, I am short waisted, and the wide elastic top. They fit great.) Watch sizes on thrift shop jeans, they are often there becaz they are the wrong size.

I have funkier/older jeans I wear at home (for ex.; one very loose pair great for lounging) and others I save for "better." Jeans are a staple so keep your eyes out for deals on them whenever you are shopping!

By pamphyila

Buy Ebay Lots

Buy them on ebay but put in the key search word "LOT" in with your size or even the brand name you like. A lot of sellers sell them in lots of the same size and either same brands or mixed at great prices too.

By theseamstress

Make Your Own Name Brand Styles

I will buy only one name brand jeans for school clothes. They take extra care of that one. All summer, we check out the thrift shops for the rest of their jeans wardrobe. We go into the "better" shops to see the latest fashion in jeans and then try to copy by hand sewing designs on our thrift finds or adjust the pant legs, etc. For example for the spring of 2008, purple is "in."

By happydee

Clothing Swap

Little kids often outgrow their clothes before they outwear them. Arrange a clothing swap with neighbors or church members.

By perfumed fan

$6 Jeans At the Goodwill

Go to the Goodwill, $6. I just bought my husband a pair of Levi's yesterday, he loves them. My last pair were Land End for $6. They are BRAND NEW.

By puglover

Change Short Jeans To Capris Or Shorts

Sometimes you can find a pair of jeans dirt cheap but they are way too short. If they are, cut a little more off and make capris from them or shorts. No sense in passing up a good deal if they are a little short but fit otherwise.

By Elaine